In the past 50 years, three instruments have transformed physical chemistry: lasers, diffractometers and (most importantly) computers. Computers will continue to illuminate chemistry. It is possible to foresee a time when the details of reactions can be observed, computed and displayed as moving images on an attosecond timescale for molecules as big as enzymes and DNA. The challenge then will be to use this detailed knowledge of the mechanisms of natural life and our ever-increasing skill at controlling reactions to build synthetic life.
Peter Atkins forecasts the future
Computers will continue to illuminate chemistry and the reactions of natural life - eventually we may be able to build synthetic life from scratch